Brief History Central Baptist Church of Augusta

Central Baptist Church was organized in 1899 with 41 members.  On May 6, 1900 the “Little White Church” was dedicated and served by a half-time minister from Augusta.  The church and parsonage currently sits beside Santa Fe Lake, which was a man made project. 

        In 1951, the “Little White Church” was moved and placed on a basement to expand to meet needs.  The current parsonage was built in 1955 to allow the old parsonage to be used as an educational building, until 1960.  The current sanctuary/basement were completed in December of 1960 and dedicated April 9, 1961.  An administrative wing and basement were added to the church, along with a new bell and cross-tower, and dedicated in November of 1971. 

With an aging population, use of the basement as a fellowship area was becoming increasingly difficult.  A ground-level fellowship facility was decided upon and erected that connected the “Little White Church” and the sanctuary.  The Family Life Center was built to its current state in time for the Centennial celebration, with more extensive plans still ongoing.

Various youth programs have come and gone over the last 30 years.  In 2007, the children’s church ministry was resurrected to meet the needs of the surging youth population.  Also seen in 2007 was a return to ABCCR camping by CBC youth.  There are plans for more programs in the works as well.

The most recent pastor, Ron Jones (2003-2008), took the Executive Director of Camp and Conference Corporation for the ABCCR. During his time here, CBC saw a restructuring of our Congregational Leadership and a sharp growth in a youth ministry that hadn’t existed since a departure of Gus Kubish, in 1987.  Pastor Jones picked up from the rebuilding that was seen under the direction of Rev. Robert Hanthorn from 1990-2001.

We now move into our next 110 years under the spiritual guidance of Pastor Steve Hollingsworth.  We were blessed to have him become out new pastor in 2009 and look to the future, as we plan to continue to be a light to the world for Him.

Click for more detailed History of the White Church itself.
Compiled by Lynn Smith (March 2011)

Please check back for complete history to be uploaded at a later date.